Christmas Decorating Essentials Checklist

Indoors

• Christmas tree

  Decide whether you want to go with a fresh Christmas tree or an artificial one. If you want to be a little bit extra, you can opt for a big main tree and a second tree in your kids' room, the kitchen, or another space in your home.

• Ornaments

  Choose Christmas ornaments with significance for you (such as ornaments from your favorite vacation destinations), or opt for a specific style.

• Tinsel or other adornments

  Be careful with using traditional tinsel if you have pets—ribbon and other alternatives are a safer choice.

• Tree skirt or collar

  Tree skirts come in styles from traditional to modern—and metal or wooden collars are a new option.

• Tree stand

  A tree stand ensures that your fresh Christmas tree stays well-hydrated.

• Multiple strings of lights

  Find out how many lights you'll need to cover your tree—and find places to decorate with Christmas lights, such as putting strings of lights along the mantel, stair banister, or even a battery-operated set in a glass hurricane container.

• Fresh poinsettias or other Christmas plants

  Think Christmas cactus, forced amaryllis blooms, or cyclamen.

• Fresh or artificial garland for mantels and/or staircase banisters

  Choose evergreens, berries, sparkling glass beads, felt balls, or whatever suits your decorating style.

• Natural accent elements

  Think pinecones, oranges, frosted cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and whatever else says Christmas to you.

• Wide ribbon for tying garland or making bows around vases or planters

  Ribbons can also be a festive addition to your tree.

• Stockings and stocking hooks

  Choose sturdy hooks if you really overstuff your stockings.

• Scented candles

  Holiday scents like balsam mulled cider, or citrus will give your home a cozy scent. (And the balsam or evergreen scents can give you the feeling of a fresh tree, even if you've gone with an artificial one.)

• Holiday linens (tablecloths, table runners, napkins, and placemats)

  You can go all out with holiday patterns, or opt for classic colors that suit your decorating scheme (and can maybe be brought out for other holidays—like red for Valentine's Day).

• Holiday serving platters or dishware

  Festive salad plates and a few serving platters can put your everyday dishes into holiday mode.

• Nativity scenes, wooden nutcrackers, or other seasonal decorations that might sit on a table or windowsill

  Use your Christmas decoration storage box to house your usual accessories while your holiday ones are out on display.

Outdoor

• Wreath for front door

  You can opt for a fresh evergreen wreath or a pretty artificial one. (You can even DIY a wreath, if you're feeling crafty!)

• String lights for lining the house or decorating trees

  Bigger light bulbs will add a more dramatic look to your home.

• Web lights for tossing over bushes

  Forget about winding strings through the bushes—this is a much easier option.

• Lawn figures

  Opt for eight tiny reindeer, angels, or whatever suits your theme.

• Extension cords for lights and light-up (or blow-up) figures

  Make sure the cords you use are rated for outdoor use. And consider pairing them with timers or smart plugs so you can turn them off and on without running outside in the cold to do it.

• Holiday flags

  Choose festive flags that match your holiday decorating theme.

• Bow or decoration for the mailbox

  Look for outdoor-friendly bows that can stand up to inclement weather.